Method or refining volatile metals.



S. HULDT.

METHOD OF REFINING VOLATILE METALS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-7. 19m.

1,298,722, Patented Apr. 1, 1919 ZZZ/675%.- 51/20 Hu/d/f SVEN' HULDT, OF STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN.

METHOD OF REFINING VOLA'IILE METALS.

Application filed August 7,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SVEN Honor, subject of the King of Sweden, residing at Strand .viigen 17, Stockholm, Sweden, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of Refining Volatile Metals, of

which the following is a specification.

The present invention refers to a methodv of refining zinc and similar Volatile metals, the characteristic feature of said method consisting in continuously distilling the raw material in an electric radiating furnace, and continuously exhausting the zinc vapors thereby roduced for condensation, whereby said distilling and exhausting are performed without being disturbed by the introduction of fresh material to be refined.

According to one convenient form of executionthe refining is carried out in the following manner: Raw zinc or more or less impure zinc is introduced in an electric radiating furnace through an opening in the furnace wall or furnace vault, and is exposed to the electric radiating heat until the material on the furnace bottom melts, forming a bath of molten metal in amount sufficient to form a liquid seal in a tra between the furnace chamber and a feeding receptacle or hp'pper mounted on the side of said furnace'; thereby preventing the entrance of air through said feed receiver to the furnace chamber. The said opening in the furnace wall or vault is then closed. The distilling is now performed with aid of the heat radiating from the electric arc and from the furnace walls and vault, said heat acting upon the surface of the metal bath, whereb metal vapors are generated and exhaust from the furnace to a condenser for condensation. Fresh raw material is introduced through the said feed receiver, and melts when coming in contact with the metal bath, thus continuously maintaining the same.

A construction of a furnace for carrying out the method described is shown on the drawing.

Figures 1 and 2 are vertical sections at right angles to one another of an electric radiating furnace for refining zinc according to the present invention.

1 indicates the furnace chamber, 2 the electrodes, between which an electric arc is to be formed within said furnace chamber, 3 the ,outlet opening to a condenser for'the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 1, 1919.

1916. Serial No. 113,538.

zinc vapors generated, and 4 a tap hole for the residues, which may remain from the distillation. On the side of the furnace chamber 1 is provided a feed receiver 5, through which the raw zinc or other zinc containing material to be refined is introduced to the metal bath 6 on the bottom of the furnace. Such metal bath is established at the beginning of the process by introducing raw zinc through an opening 7 in the furnace wall or furnace vault, and exposing said zinc to the radiating heat from the electric arc and from the furnace walls, until a metal bath is established, preventing the entrance of air to the furnace chamber through the feed receiver 5 by the aid of a liquid trap established by an opening 9 in the furnace wall 8 at or near i the furnace bottom. The opening 7 is then closed, and the distillation of zinc from the surface of the metal bath is performed. The zinc vapors generated exhaust through the outlet 3 and fresh material is introduced through the receiver 5, so that the metal bath and the liquid trap are maintained.

Thus the process is continuous, the distillation and the escape of zinc vapors being effected continuously without being disturbed by the introduction of fresh material.

The feed receiver 5 which may be formed as a shaft, may also be arranged within the furnace chamber 1, extending with its lower end in the metal bath for shutting off the outer air.

The introduction of material at the beginning of the process for establishing the metal bath may also be effected through said feed receiver or in any other suitable manner.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. The method of refining volatile metals, consistin in continuousl introducing the metal to e refined in a mo ten condition into an electric radiating furnace out of contact with air," exposing the surface of the metal bath thus formed to the radiating heat of the electric source, and exhausting the metal vapors continuously for condensation.

2. The method of refining volatile metals, consisting in establishing a; molten metal bath on the bottom of an electric radiating furnace by introducing the metal through an opening in the furnace wall, then closing said 0 ening, ex osing the surface of the metal ath to ra iating heat from the electric source, introducing fresh material underneath the surface of said metal bath, While excluding air from the furnace, and exhausting the metal vapors continuously for condensation.

3. The method of refining volatile metals, consisting in introducing the metal under neath the surface of a bath of the metal to be refined, exposin the surface of said freely molten bath to t e radiating heat of an'electrio source sufiicient to vaporize said metal, and exhausting the metal vapors continuously for condensation.

4:. The method of refining volatile metals, consisting in introducing the metal to be re fined in an electric radiating furnace through a freely liquid trap, formed by said metal, so as to maintain a metal bath on the bottom of the furnace, exposing the surface of said bath to the radiating heat from the electric source suflicient to vaporize said metal, and

mean:

exhausting the metal vapors for condensation. a

5. In an apparatus for refining volatile metals, an electric radiating furnace with are electrodes therein, an outlet for vapors from'the furnace chamber, and a feed receiver, communicating with said furnace chamber through an opening at the bottom of said furnace chamber.

6. In an apparatus for refining volatile metals, an electric radiating furnace with are electrodes therein, an outlet for vapors from the furnace chamber, a feed receiver, communicating with said furnace chamber at the bottom of the same, so as to form a trap, and an additional feed opening in the wall of the furnace chamber.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SVE-N HULDT.

Witnesses:

' GRETA PRIEN, SALLY GA'DE. 

